aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgre-siv 

1

a

: tending toward or exhibiting aggression

aggressive behavior

b

: marked by combative readiness

an aggressive fighter

2

a

: marked by obtrusive energy and self-assertiveness

a rude, aggressive personality

b

: marked by driving forceful energy or initiative : enterprising

an aggressive salesman

3

: strong or emphatic in effect or intent

aggressive colors

aggressive flavors

4

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive bone tumors

5

: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent

aggressive chemotherapy

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

aggressivity

ˌa-ˌgre-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms of aggressive

• combative
• hostile
• contentious
• militant
• confrontational
• assaultive
• irritable
• belligerent

Choose the Right Synonym for aggressive

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals.

aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends.

aggressive in his business dealings

militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.

militant protesters rallied against the new law

assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of aggressive in a Sentence

He started to get aggressive and began to shout.

an aggressive lawyer whose tactics have made people angry

The team plays a very aggressive style of defense.

The company took aggressive steps to prevent illegal use of their equipment.

The publisher has been very aggressive in promoting the book.

The city began an aggressive campaign to encourage recycling.

an aggressive form of cancer

Recent Examples on the Web

Further down the lineup, Bo Groulx continued his aggressive run with the Leafs since he was called up from the Marlies on Tuesday. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Japan, on the other hand, argues that the missiles are a necessity now, given China’s increasingly aggressive posture in the region. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026

But the aggressive mode of politics practiced by Wambsganss and her cohort eventually alienated many of their fellow-conservatives. —Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026

The White House has also taken an aggressive stance in defending the war, both online and in the media. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin aggressīvus, from Latin aggressus, past participle of aggredī "to step up to, approach, attack" + -īvus -ive — more at aggress

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing aggressive

• hyper-aggressive
• passive-aggressive

Rhymes for aggressive

• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive
• regressive

Kids Definition

aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv 

1

a

: showing readiness to attack

an aggressive dog

b

: practicing aggression

an aggressive nation

2

: being forceful in getting things done

an aggressive sales campaign

3

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive weeds

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

Medical Definition

aggressive

adjective

ag·​gres·​sive ə-ˈgres-iv 

1

: tending toward or exhibiting aggression

aggressive behavior

2

: growing, developing, or spreading rapidly

aggressive bone tumors

3

: more severe, intensive, or comprehensive than usual especially in dosage or extent

aggressive chemotherapy

aggressive surgical intervention

compare conservative, radical

aggressively adverb

aggressiveness noun

aggressivity

ˌag-ˌre-ˈsiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural aggressivities